DAMMAM — The head of the Board of Senior Ulema has received a letter from women activists asking him that women should be allowed to drive, Al-Hayat daily reported. A source, who preferred to remain unidentified, said the letter was received by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh's office. It is not known whether the letter was referred to the board itself. He pointed out that the committee reviews queries on a periodical basis and replies to senders using all communication means. “The committee does not automatically reject any queries submitted to them and replies to any questions that concern Shariah,” he said. The letter was submitted by supporters of the Oct. 26 campaign for women driving, which said they have yet to receive any reply. They said that preventing women from driving has more disadvantages than allowing them to drive. In addition, the government has the authority to implement laws and regulations to overcome any disadvantages, they said. These activists pointed out that they were asked to refer their demands to official channels and so they submitted the letter to the Grand Mufti. The letter stated that anything that harmed women's liberty should be tackled through a legal request that must be considered by anyone entrusted with such matters. Enlisting the support of scholars is the right course of action because it is in line with Shariah. The letter said that preventing women from driving has resulted in more hardships for them and their children as they have to depend on drivers who are strangers living in their houses and whose real motives are not known. The activists also reviewed penalties that women who took to wheel were subjected to such as detainment and confiscation of their vehicles as well as the threat of prison and fines.
